James Owen “Jay” Godwin

Mr. James Owen “Jay” Godwin, 90, of Valdosta, Georgia (formerly of Lenox), passed away on March 18, 2022 at the Langdale Hospice House in Valdosta, Georgia. He was born in Cook County to the late Michael Angzone Godwin and Mary Abbie Stone Godwin. Mr. Godwin lived all of his life in Cook County before moving to Valdosta six years ago. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church of Adel and was retired from the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Georgia after 22 years of service. Mr. Godwin also served in the United States Army and was a retired farmer.

Mr. Godwin is survived by his wife of 57 years, Virginia Rutland Godwin; daughter and son-in-law, Abbie and Jeff Barfield; grandchildren, Jenna Barfield and Luke Barfield, all of Valdosta; one sister, Helen Dickens of Lawrenceville, Georgia and one sister-in-law, Peggy Godwin of Lenox, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers: Michael B. “Bennie” Godwin, Sanford Lee Godwin, Bernice “Chic” Godwin, Roy Godwin, Huey Godwin and one sister Myrtice Betts.

A graveside service was held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at the Lakeview Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Brad Baker officiating. Visitation was held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Monday, March 21, 2022 at Boone Funeral Home, 1804 S. Hutchinson Ave.; Adel, Georgia. Pallbearers included Michael Godwin, Craig Betts, Kevin Betts, Eric Betts, Brian Betts, Larry Joe Godwin, Joey Godwin, Christopher Rutland, Benjie Rutland, Reggie Rutland and Brian Rutland. Brian Betts, Kevin Betts, Craig Betts and Eric Betts sang “Amazing Grace” and “I Can’t Even Walk” at the graveside. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made in honor of Mr. Godwin to the Langdale Hospice House (2263 Pineview Dr., Valdosta, GA 31602 or online at www.hospiceofsouthgeorgia.org).

Condolences may be expressed online at www.boonefunerals.com. Boone Funeral Home, Inc. of Adel, Georgia is serving the Godwin family.